It’s as if Devin Gardner was always biding his time, knowing his shot at playing quarterback for Michigan would come again.

When it did come three games ago, due to the elbow injury suffered by Denard Robinson in the loss at Nebraska, Gardner — once one of the more highly recruited QB prospects in the midwest, including by Ohio State — didn’t pass up the chance as he moved back from wide receiver.

In fact, passing is what has stuck out the most about him and the Michigan offense since he took over, the Wolverines riding a three-game winning streak headed into The Game today with Ohio State. Gardner has seemed to make strides with every passing day.

“Well, there were two throws again last week we’d like to him make a couple more strides on,” Michigan coach Brady Hoke said.

But overall, since stepping back from receiver to starting quarterback Gardner has averaged 313 yards of total offense the past three games. Some 834 of that has come passing, going 46 of 70, with seven touchdown passes and just interceptions, while he has rushed 28 times for a net 105 yards.

In comparison, through the first eight games as a receiver, he had just 16 catches for 266 yards and four TDs. But it was the experience he gained out there on the edge that is paying some dividends now, Hoke believes.

“I think when you look at Devin’s maturity, playing receiver (to start this year) and being part of that group, the mental part of the game, from running routes, and how you look at coverages, and blocking down the field, I think that was something that was important and something that helped him as a quarterback,” Hoke said.

Gardner’s athletic gifts, including speed afoot, have always been obvious. That was one reason why the coaches moved him to wide receiver this season, getting him on the field in some way while Robinson was at quarterback.

Now the script has flipped, the coaches getting Robinson on the field as a threat at running back and slot man to play off the strengths of Gardner, who has dived into his second chance at quarterback.

“Devin is one of those guys who really loves to watch tape (video), loves to learn,” Hoke said. “I think Al Borges (offensive coordinator) has done a great job with him.”

OSU nickel back Orhian Johnson agreed.

“I think he’s a well-coached quarterback,” Johnson said. “Those guys have put him into some great situations. He’s got some guys that are making plays for him, and the O line seems to believe in him.”